OGC Nice hosted RC Lens this Saturday afternoon. A match with a sense of redemption after being eliminated in the French Cup by Saint-Brieuc (N3) on Wednesday night.
The match took place in a unusual atmosphere as all the rings of the South Stand were closed following incidents during the derby against Marseille. In protest against this decision by the League and the lack of support from Nice’s management, the supporter group Populaire Sud suspended all their activities.
An explosive start to the match
Back on the pitch, for Dante’s 300th appearance in the red and black jersey. The Nice team immediately imposed a constant pressing that the Lens goalkeeper will remember for a long time. In the fifth minute, following a catastrophic clearance in the center, Hicham Boudaoui recovered the ball before losing it, but Mohamed-Ali Cho quickly followed up to return it to Guessand in the center. The latter thought he opened the scoring, but on a favorable rebound, Mohamed-Ali Cho committed a foul.
Four minutes later, another Lens clearance error was exploited by Boudaoui, who provoked a penalty. Gaëtan Laborde took the penalty and sent the Lens goalkeeper the wrong way to open the scoring. The rest of the first half was perfectly controlled by the Nice team, with several chances, including a clear one from Jonathan Clauss, superbly saved by Hervé Koffi. Halftime score: 1-0.
A second half under control
The second half started in the best possible way for the Azur team. Facundo Medina, already booked in the 31st minute, received a second yellow card in the 57th minute, leaving RC Lens with ten men. The Nice team, which had started retreating before this red card, was re-energized and pushed to score a second goal.
Jonathan Clauss scored with a superb powerful strike under the bar following a short corner with Mohamed-Ali Cho in the 64th minute. After this goal, the Nice team dominated without really threatening Lens. They maintained control of the game with ball possession mainly in the opposing half.
Despite several opportunities, the Aiglons did not find the breakthrough to score a third goal. They ultimately won with a 2-0 scoreline, a well-deserved result.
A victory that reignites Nice
This victory allows OGC Nice to climb to the third place in Ligue 1, pending Lille’s match against Le Havre. A success that lifts the spirits of players and supporters following the disappointment in the French Cup.